The academy--a collaborative partnership of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, the San Jose Leadership Council and the San Jose Unified School District--is dedicated to developing community leaders for San Jose's future. Each year five juniors are selected from each of the seven high schools in the district, based on recommendations from teachers, administrators and an essay that reveals leadership potential, Rick Holden, the academy's executive director, said.

"We aren't looking for the class presidents, yet in each of the [academy's] graduating classes, at least one student has gone on to become a student body president," Holden said.

This year's academy graduates from Leland were Cory Hammon, Michelle Man, Binita Patel, Quianna Sanchez and Eric Wu. Nadia Berdai, Joseph Mensah, Lisa Pancoast, Danielle Satler and Katee Shean represented Pioneer.

Academy students attended monthly educational programs at San Jose schools, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, law enforcement agencies and arts groups.

"Students in the 2005 class have been volunteering for organizations that prevent problems from happening, such as the [San Jose Repertory Theatre's] Red Ladder Theatre Company, which through acting workshops helps focus the energy of troubled teens toward expressive, positive outlets," Holden said.